JULY & AUGUST 2024 ISSUE

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Current Articles

Unlocking Real Estate Investing: How You Can Start with Less Than You Think

Unlocking Real Estate Investing: How You Can Start with Less Than You Think

January 01, 20254 min read

Real estate investing has long been considered one of the most reliable paths to building wealth. However, many people assume they need to be wealthy to get started. The truth is, you can begin investing in real estate with far less money than you might think—and in almost any market condition.

Real Estate in Any Market

The idea that you can only make money in a booming market is a myth. You can make—or lose—money in any market. It all comes down to understanding the cycles and metrics that drive real estate trends. Over my twenty-five years as a real estate investor, I’ve experienced and learned from both successes and challenges in various market conditions.

One key takeaway? Boom markets are powerful wealth-builders, but they’re not the only option. The secret lies in knowing how to recognize market cycles, learning how they interact with the phases of real estate, and taking action to leverage the opportunities within these cycles and phases.

My Proven Strategy

For more than two decades, I’ve focused on identifying emerging boom markets. Using specific key performance indicators (KPIs), I’ve developed a system to spot these opportunities before they hit the mainstream. By tracking factors like home value appreciation, job creation, infrastructure development, and affordability indexes, I’ve been able to predict where the next real estate hotspots will emerge.

This data-driven approach has allowed me to build a successful real estate portfolio, and now I help others do the same.

Find Your Next Dream Home - Real Estate

The Seven Phases of Real Estate

Every real estate market moves through seven distinct phases. Understanding these phases is critical for making smart investment decisions. These include:

  1. Recovery: The market stabilizes after a downturn.

  2. Expansion: Demand and prices start to increase.

  3. Hyper-Supply: Overbuilding begins to saturate the market.

  4. Recession: Prices drop, and the market slows.

  5. Stabilization: The market finds its footing again.

  6. Growth: Steady increases in value occur.

  7. Peak: The market hits its highest point before adjusting again.

By knowing the market phase, you can make informed decisions about when and where to buy, hold, or sell. These phases aren’t always predictable and are affected by how they intersect with a number of cycles that include political cycles, consumer confidence cycles, financial cycles, and the lifecycle of a development/community. By staying informed and tracking the right data, you can minimize risks and maximize rewards.

Start with Less

One of the most common barriers to entry for new investors is the belief that they need a fortune to get started. This simply isn’t true. With as little as $55,000, you can set yourself on a path to owning a property worth a million dollars or more.  And for new investors, there are options for no money down.

How? Through strategic planning and smart leveraging. I detail this process in my free webinar, where I share my 2025 real estate investment plan. In the webinar, I break down exactly how to use $55,000 as the foundation for a million-dollar investment. The goal is to show you how to make your money work harder and create opportunities that may feel out of reach today.

Build Your Own Plan

If you’re eager to build a plan tailored to your goals, I also teach aspiring and experienced investors how to create their own real estate strategies. Whether you’re looking to secure your first property or expand your existing portfolio, I guide you through the process of identifying your goals, evaluating markets, and executing a plan that aligns with your financial ambitions.

Your First Step

Real estate investing doesn’t have to be intimidating or out of reach. By starting with a clear understanding of the market, cycles, the right KPIs, and a strategic plan, you can begin building wealth in real estate—regardless of where the market currently stands.

If you’re ready to take the next step, I invite you to access my free webinar. You’ll learn the exact strategies I’m using in 2025 to grow my portfolio, and you’ll walk away with actionable insights that you can apply to your own journey.

Real estate is about more than buying and selling; it’s about making informed decisions that secure your future. Whether you’re starting with a small budget or scaling your investments, the opportunity is out there waiting for you.

Let’s make it happen!

Looking to buy a short term rental?


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Jessica Elgin

Jessica Elgin entered the real estate market in 2000 as an investor. After having great success, she taught investors how to do the same. Shortly after, she got her Realtor license and quickly gained the elusive Double Grand Centurion Award with Century 21 for being the number five agent for her region in the Southwest United States. Jessica has sold over 800 homes but is better known for her real estate coaching and team development. Jessica now focuses her portfolio on residential resort products.

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